Improvement in lightning-rods



M. D. PHELPS.

Improvement in Lightning Rods.

Patented Dec. 19, 1871.

Witnesses:

PATENT FFIGE.

MYRON D. PHELPS, OF BRISTOLVILLE, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN LIGHTNING-RODS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 122,055, dated December19, 1871.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MYRoN D. PHELPS, of Bristolville, in the county ofTrumbull and in the State of Ohio,have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Li ghtning-Itod; and do hereby declare that thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawing and to the letters of referencemarked thereon making a part of this specification.

The nature of my invention consists of a light ningrod composed of acentral straight copper core surrounded by three or more twisted ironwires, of the same or different sizes, forming a perfect coat ofprotection to the core, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

In order to enable others skilled in the art to which my inventionappertains to make and use the same, I will now proceed to describe itsconstruction and operation, referring to the annexed drawing, in whichFigure l is a side View, and Fi 2 a crosssection of my lightning-rod.

I construct my lightning-rod ot' a central copper core, formed of astraight copper rod, A, around which are twisted three or more ironwires, B B, of any desired size, forming an exterior coat to the core.All the splices are to be welded or brazed, whereby a continuous rod isobtained. The copper core, being free from twist, increases itsattractive and conductive powers, and concentrates the current ofelectricity upon the center of the rod instead of t-hrowin it on theoutside, thereby making the electricity less liable to leave the rod.The copper core, being entirely covered with three or more iron wires ofsame or different sizes, gives it strength and power, and preventsoxidation, which the copper wires are liable to when freely exposed tothe atmosphere.

The central copper core may be surrounded by copper wires instead of theiron wires; but I prefer the latter for the reasons above stated.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- A lightningrod composed of astraight copper core surrounded by three or more twisted wires,substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this30th day of September, 1871.

MYRON D. PHELPS.

Witnesses HEMAN B. HAMMON, JACOB HAMMOND. (50)

